UK Horse Racing Tips: Doncaster

HOOTS TOOTS picked up where he left off last year when making a successful return to action over this trip at Thirsk, and a 5lb rise looks unlikely to stop him following up here. The gelded son of Outstrip kept on to prevail by a length and a quarter on that occasion and there is likely more in his locker. Albeseeingyer was last seen completing a three-timer of her own at Redcar in September and has to be feared on her comeback, while recent Wolverhampton winner Lincoln Gamble completes the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Hoots Toots 2nd Albeseeingyer 3rd Lincoln Gamble

A 7lb penalty may not be enough to stop UNITED APPROACH, who confirmed the promise of his Ascot introduction when justifying favouritism at Ayr in September. Billy Loughnane negates most of the penalty with his 5lb claim and James Tate's colt appears to have a bright future ahead of him. Desert Games was beaten less than a length into fourth at Pontefract and can step forward from that reappearance. Smoky Mountain chased home a smart filly at Wolverhampton and completes the shortlist on his turf debut.
Prediction : 1st United Approach 2nd Desert Games 3rd Smoky Mountain

TALHA filled the runner-up spot on both juvenile starts - most recently over C&D - and has been gelded during his winter break. Better is expected of the son of Havana Grey this year and he could be worth siding with, although Royal Dress was steadily progressive last summer and bumped into subsequent Oh So Sharp winner/Breeders' Cup fourth Midnight Mile, also over track and trip. Tyke is another who could have a say in proceedings, despite having to shoulder a 7lb penalty for his debut Southwell triumph.
Prediction : 1st Talha 2nd Royal Dress 3rd Tyke

SUPREME KING looked as if he failed to see out the mile in handicap company at Newmarket's Craven meeting, but he has plenty of solid placed form to recommend him and the return to a maiden might help him break through. Equatorial looks the part on paper as a son of Showcasing and he could go well for Roger Varian, while the Ed Walker-trained Sherood cost 130,000gns as a foal so the Night Of Thunder colt is also worth a market watch ahead of his racecourse bow.
Prediction : 1st Supreme King 2nd Equatorial 3rd Sherood

HOPE YOU CAN RUN takes a drop in class after finishing third in a good nursery at Newmarket on his final start as a two-year-old. Although he has to give weight away to all his rivals, the added two furlongs here might see plenty of improvement. Wonder Legend got back up to take his maiden at Wolverhampton and is one to consider on his turf/handicap debut, though Mindset may prove the bigger danger now stepping up to the trip he was bred for as a son of New Approach.
Prediction : 1st Hope You Can Run 2nd Mindset 3rd Wonder Legend

Compliant will try to make her fitness advantage pay after winning at Kempton in February before a close-up third at Newcastle the following month, but she is yet to prove her worth on the grass and INVISIBLE FRIEND may be the one. Third on her Haydock debut, she won very easily at Carlisle, despite showing signs of her inexperience, and could be in for a successful season with any further improvement. My Little Queens also makes the shortlist after her Chelmsford triumph.
Prediction : 1st Invisible Friend 2nd Compliant 3rd My Little Queens

Several of these are old rivals and it's likely this will be a tactical affair. With that in mind, it might be worth chancing that PRINCE ABU adapts to turf well enough to exploit the fact he gets weight all round, and he could be good value to stage a repeat of December's defeat of Quercus Robur on the Tapeta at Southwell. Star Angel and Cogital are also closely matched on past form and complete the shortlist, in that order of preference.
Prediction : 1st Prince Abu 2nd Quercus Robur 3rd Star Angel

Several of these are open to improvement as they are develop as handicappers and the likes of Inspired Knowhow, Rockonmecca and Juryman all merit betting checks. However, VASILISSA took a big step forward when she won over this trip at Kempton 16 days ago and, from just 1lb higher, she is an appealing option now switched to turf. With her yard in good form and Alec Voikhansky keeping the partnership intact, the daughter of Kingman could be the answer in a tough one to call.
Prediction : 1st Vasilissa 2nd Inspired Knowhow 3rd Rockonmecca